The announcer's voice boomed across the arena as the thirty remaining contestants assembled, eyes sharp and breaths steady after the chaotic battle royale.
"Congratulations to our thirty qualifiers!" the announcer proclaimed, letting the crowd's cheers echo before continuing. "This next round will take the form of a tournament, but with a twist to ensure a fair chance for all!"
The contestants and the audience listened intently as he explained.
"Each contestant will participate in four matches, and here's how it works: every competitor may challenge up to two others of their choice! Each person must fight a total of four matches, so two of your fights may come from others who have challenged you!"
A few murmurs arose among the contestants; this rule added a new layer of strategy, allowing them to choose opponents who could either boost their chances or provide worthy challenges.
